Driving a car can be lots of fun, and it doesn’t have to be a stratospherically priced supercar either. There are plenty great affordable cars out there with a level of performance and handling that will put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.
To help you find the perfect one for your needs, we’ve selected 10 of the most fun cars to drive, from two-seater convertibles to zippy city cars and even an electric SUV.
10 cars that are the most fun to drive:
- Alfa Romeo Giulia
- BMW 3 Series
- Hyundai i20 N
- Honda Civic Type R
- Abarth 500e
- Mazda MX-5
- Porsche Cayman
- Tesla Model 3
- Toyota GR Yaris
- Suzuki Swift Sport
1. Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a sporty saloon that offers a great driving experience thanks to its sharp chassis and rear-wheel-drive layout. The suspension tends to feel a bit firm around town, and the interior tech is now a bit dated, but few cars in its class are as enjoyable to drive quickly.
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You can pick from either a 200hp or 280hp four-cylinder, or the mental Giulia Quadrifoglio with its 510hp twin-turbo V6.
Read our in-depth Giulia review
2. BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series was the original sporty saloon and continues to be the benchmark when it comes to an engaging driving experience. You don’t have to pick the top M340i or M3 models either, as even the base 184hp 320i is quick and has great handling.
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Just avoid ticking too many options as it can get pricey very quickly, for most a mid-spec 245hp 330i should be a great fit.
Read our in-depth 3 Series review
3. Hyundai i20 N
Supermini hot hatch lovers will probably still be mourning the loss of the Ford Fiesta ST, but if you’re after something to catch the spirit of that car the Hyundai i20 N is a great place to start. It offers low weight, plenty of grunt and the usual hot-hatch racey bodykit.
It can feel a bit firm over bumps, but that’s a small price to pay for the great handling.
Read our in-depth Hyundai i20 N
4. Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R has always been one of the sharpest-driving hot hatches around, and this new one takes this to a whole new level. Few family hatchbacks will be able to put a smile on your face like this one can.
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It may be quite expensive, especially compared to the outgoing one, but the interior is a huge step up from its predecessor and it’s not quite as in-your-face either.
Read our in-depth Mustang review
5. Abarth 500e
You may not think that an electric hot hatch could be fun to drive, but the new Abarth 500e is here to prove you wrong. Not only does it handle pretty well, the fake engine noises played outside the car can be pretty amusing.
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Ok, so this might not be to everyone’s taste which is why you can easily turn it off. When you do, you’re left with a funky-looking EV which is a hoot to drive.
Read our in-depth Abarth 500e review
6. Mazda MX-5
The Mazda MX-5 is a natural choice here, thanks to its rear-wheel-drive layout, manual transmission option and eager, naturally aspirated engines.
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You will easily find a faster, more practical car for the money, but you’ll pay twice as much before you find something that more readily puts a smile on your face. We’d pick the 184hp 2.0-litre paired with a manual transmission for the best results.
Read our in-depth MX-5 review
7. Porsche Cayman
The Porsche Cayman is a superb sports car, with the kind of delicate handling balance that only a mid-engined layout can provide. Base four-cylinder models are quick but lack the amazing soundtrack of the pricier six-cylinder cars. The new 493hp GT4 RS, meanwhile, may well be the most complete sports car on sale today.
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The options list can greatly inflate the base price, but even so, the Cayman remains one of the best driving cars at any price.
Read our in-depth Cayman review
8. Tesla Model 3
Sheer ridiculous straight-line speed has been the claim to fame for many Tesla models, and that remains the case for the Model 3. Feeling that instant rush of power just never gets old. Beating supercars off the line is fun, but the Model 3 handles well, too.
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Pick the Model 3 Performance for the best results, it comes standard with the Performance Upgrade which includes a handy Track Mode. It’s not cheap, though, and the build quality is still not quite up there with the likes of BMW and Audi.
Read our in-depth Model 3 review
9. Toyota GR Yaris
This fizzy little Toyota GR Yaris may look like a standard Yaris with a bodykit, but it’s so much more than that. The 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine produces a serious 280hp, which combined with the fancy all-wheel-drive system makes it indecently quick.
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It’s pretty unrefined on the motorway, and the rear seats and boot are tiny, but don’t let that distract you from ticking the options box marked ‘Circuit Pack’ which dials the action up to 11.
Read our in-depth GR Yaris review
10. Suzuki Swift Sport
Last but by no means least, the Suzuki Swift Sport is here to prove that you don’t need silly amounts of power to have a great deal of fun. The 1.4-litre turbocharged engine may have just 129hp, but it tips the scales at just 1,025kg meaning it feels like it has a lot more.
Suzuki Swift Sport deals
That low weight also makes it a riot to throw through corners. It may have a slightly low-rent cabin, but it more than makes up for this with an enormous list of standard equipment.
Read our in-depth Swift Sport review
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